Off-pore Nucleoporin sPOM121 Transcriptionally Propels β-Catenin-driven Tumor Progression and Immune Escape in Prostate Cancer.

Cancer discovery
Authors
Abstract

UNLABELLED: The roles of nucleoplasm-residing nucleoporins (NUP) in solid tumors, including prostate cancer, remain unknown. In this study, we reveal the clinical significance and mechanistic role of the off-pore NUP, soluble POM121 (sPOM121), as a crucial transcriptional regulator that enhances the aggressiveness of metastatic prostate cancer. Using orthogonal methodologies in human samples, sPOM121 was identified as the predominantly expressed nucleoplasmic NUP in prostate cancer. Unbiased proteomic and epigenomic studies demonstrate that sPOM121, through its C-terminus, interacts with the chromatin remodeler SMARCA5 at gene promoter sites and localizes at nuclear condensates, reprogramming gene expression. Indeed, sPOM121 regulates a distinct oncogenic gene network, including β-catenin, leading to prostate cancer progression and immune evasion. Importantly, targeting the sPOM121/β-catenin axis in patient-derived preclinical and syngeneic mouse models halts prostate cancer aggressiveness and enhances antitumor immunity. Taken together, these findings reveal previously unknown actionable reprogramming functions of off-pore NUPs in solid tumors.SIGNIFICANCE: This study uncovers how oncogenic signaling programs are transcriptionally heightened by the NUP sPOM121 in metastatic prostate cancer. Localization of sPOM121 at active transcriptional nuclear condensates propels disease progression and immune evasion, offering novel anticancer therapeutic opportunities.

Year of Publication
2025
Journal
Cancer discovery
Volume
15
Issue
11
Pages
2374-2396
Date Published
11/2025
ISSN
2159-8290
DOI
10.1158/2159-8290.CD-25-0629
PubMed ID
40709833
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